Rack



J. B. GRAHAM Nov. 30, 1937.

RACK

Filed Nov. 21, 1936 INVEIQTOR. Julius EL 'll-lraham ATTORNEYS.

Patented-NoWBO, 1937 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE BACK Julius 12. Graham, Shubuta, Miss. ApplicationNovember 21, 1936, Serial No. 112,165 '1 Claims. (or. 211-137) Thisinvention relates to racks and more particularly to display and vendingracks.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a rack, having a,plurality of terraced shelves,

in connection with a compartment adapted to house a relatively heavyarticle or articles, the rack being built sothat it may be easilymovedabout yet is sturdy and particularly free from the defectswhich-cause distortion and buckling l0 of'racks of this kind after beingsubjected to use. Another object'is to provide a rack, having acompartment associated therewith, the assemblybeing such thatthe-articles on the shelves of the rack and those within the compartmentmay be easily reached .Stillanother object is to provide a rack whichmay be readily and easily cleaned. 7

Another object is to provide a rack wherein portions of the constructionhave dual functions. -.Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent during the course of the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forminga part of this specification, and in which drawing:-

Figure 1 is a top plan of the novel rack.

Figure 2 isan and elevation of the same. Figure 3 is a fragmentarytransverse section of the upper end of this rack. V

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section of a shelf 0 and bracket, forming aportion of the rack construction. v 0

Figure 5 is a fragment of a corner of the novel rack.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through a foot portion of the novel rack,also showing support and bracing means associated therewith.

Figure 7 is a fragment of the support shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plate, forming a portion 40 of the construction.

1 Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontal section through the leg portion ofthe rack.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of 45 the invention, and wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,theinovel rack is shown as including a-pair of spaced apart framemembers Ill each, preferably, comprising a single length of angle ironformed into a pair of legliportions I I and a bridge portion 12, joiningthe upper ends of the leg portions. Preferably, the length of angle ironis mitered, bent and finally welded as shown at l3 in Figure 3, in orderto form a Strong 55 but light-weight frame construction,

A top plate or rack top I5 is provided and extends over each of thebridge portions l2. This top plate l5 has a downturned rim I6 whichoverlaps a section of theupper end of each of the leg portions Ii. 6

Means to secure the top plate IE to the frame members I0 is providedand, for example, comprises in part, bolts and nuts I! and I8 whichformer extend to the bridge portion l2 and downturned rim it. Thus thetop plate, insofar as its 10 downturned rim I6 is concerned, provides anadditional portion of the frame of the rack.

Disposed below the horizontal plane of the top plate i5 are a suitablenumber of spaced apart, substantially horizontally extending shelves2ll.-15 In the example shown, there are two of such shelves extendingoutwardly from each side of the rack frame and they also extendoutwardly from a. portion of each end of the frame, as may be seenparticularly in Figures 2 and 5. Other 20 than that the lowermost shelfis deeper than the shelf above it, the shelves are preferably alike andeach may be formed from a sheet of suitable material, having adowntume'd rim 2| along the,

preferably, nine edges forming the front and end 5 of each shelf. Therim 2| is formed of a double thickness of the material comprising ashelf, by turning up the material, after the outer thickness of the rimis formed, as shown in Figure 4. The inner edges of each shelf areupturned, as at 22 30 and 23in Figures 4 and 5, so that, a continuousupturned portion 22 extends across the-rear of the shelf and an upturnedportion 23 extends along the inner end edges of the shelf, where thelatter extends'around the ends of the frame members. 5

Preferably, the shelves 210 aremo unted upon the frame members asfollows:--Each shelf 20 is provided with two brackets 24 which aredisposed adjacent the ends of the shelf and extend from front to rear.They are spaced apart a distance 40 equal to the distance between thetwo-leg portions II which will carry them. Each shelf 20 is firstsuitably attached to an upright or vertically extending wall portion 25,which may comprise a sheet of suitable material having a length aboutequal to the length of the rack frame and a height so that it may extendfrom directly below the top plate l5 to below, the lowermost shelf 20.There are, of course, two of these wall portions 25, and p it ispreferred to weld the shelves 20 to the wall portions 25,-tw'o to one ofthem and two to the other,at their upturned portions 22. When so welded,the brackets .are associated with the shelves and the wall portions 25attached to the leg portions II by bolts and nuts 26 and 21 whileknockdown and folding structures of this type,

intended to support a relatively heavy load.

Where the uprights or wall portions 25 extend between the upper ends ofthe leg portions l l and the downturned rim l6 of the top plate I15,bolts and nuts 30 and 31 may be employed, the shanks of the bolts 30extending through the rim l6, wall portions 25 and leg portions l I, asshown particularly in Figure 3.

spaced inwardly of the edges of the bottom plate Y 35. A rim 31,preferably like those of the'shelves 20 may be provided for the bottomplate 35, but

this rim extends wholly around the bottom plate, as does the rim 3 ofthe top plate l5.

Supporting the bottom plate 35 and providing bracing and frame work forthe rack, are a pair of cross members 38, shown particularly in Figures5 to 8. Preferably, these cross members 38 are of angle iron with oneouter face of each in contact with the bottom face of the bottom plate35 and the other outer face of each in contact with the leg portions II;These cross members 38 are perforated, as at 39, for receiving theshanks of bolts 40 for bolting the cross members 38 to the leg portionsH, and further perforated as at M for receiving the shanks of bolts 42for bolting the cross members to braces 43 which may be of angle iron,welded or otherwise suitably secured to the .leg portions H andextending upwardly therefrom to substantially the longitudinal medialline of the bottom plate 35, where they are bolted, as by the bolts 42to .the cross members 38.

It will be noted, particularly in Figure 6, that the bottom edges of thewall portions 25 abut the upper face of the bottom plate 35.

The bottom part of each leg'portion ll, below the bottom plate 35, maybe provided with a socket member 44, having a suitable downturnedopening socket 45 to receive the shank of a castor 46, or the like, sothat the assembly may be rolled about as required. There are, of course,four of such castors 46. Y

' The top plate l5, wall portions 25, and a portion of the bottom plate35 define an open ended compartment 48, with other portions of thebottom plate jutting out beyond the compartment at its opposite mouths.This compartment 48 is free of projections, as may be noted, and adaptedto contain articles of some bulk and weight, such asoil or lubricanttanks or containers. Being open at its opposite ends, the containers maybe placed within the compartment with their outlets arranged to faceoutwardly of the compartment, and the terraced shelves 20 and bottomplate 35 (where it projects outwardly'of the Wall portions 25) provideshelves for smaller'lubricant containers, price and display cards, andthe like.

By way of example, proportions for the novel rack may be asfollows:-Height substantially 33 inches, length at the top of about 24inches, width at the top of about 14 inches, {length of the bottom plate35, substantially 29 inches and width of the same about 30 inches. Themouths of the compartment 48 may be substantially 12 inches by 25inches, so that two 24-gallon lubricant containers, 11 inches by 11inches by 23 inches may be housed therein. Where the term angle iron isemployed, it should be understood that the material may be any suitablerigid material.

The wall portions 25 not only strengthen the frame but provide rearwalls for the shelves 20 and bottom plate 35, and conceal the lubricantcontainers. They also hold down the bottom plat 35, as has beendescribed.

As for the cross members 38, they carry the f bottom plate 35 and alsoaid in bracing the frame of the rack. V

Blows upon either the upper or lower surfaces of the shelves 20 or upontheir downturned rims M will not be apt to cause the shelves to bend orbuckle, because of the upturned portions 22 and 23 of the shelves andthe double thickness of the rims 2| thereof.

Various changes may be made to the form of invention herein shown anddescribed, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rack of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart framemembers, each comprising a pair of leg portions and a bridge portionjoining the upper ends of said leg portions; a-top plate extending overeach of said bridge portions and having a downturned rim extending overav section of said leg portions and bridge portions; means for securingsaid top plate to said frame members; a plurality of shelves extendingoutwardly beyond the vertical. plane of said top plate; means forsecuring said shelves to said leg portions; apair ofhorizontally-disposed cross members, one of each extending from one legto the other leg of each of said pair of frame members and securedthereto; and a bottom plate spaced below said shelves and disposed uponsaidcross members.

2. In a rack of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart framemembers, each comprising a leg and bridge portions; means for securingsaid top plate to said frame members; a plurality ofshelves extendingoutwardly beyond the vertical plane of said top plate; means forsecuring said shelves to said leg portions; a pair of horizontallydisposed cross members, one of each extending from one leg to the'otherof each of said pair of frame members and secured thereto; and a bottomplate spaced below said shelves and disposed upon said cross members,said bottom plate beingprovided with openings thru which said legsextend and said cross members being in contact with said leg portionsdirectly below said openings.

3. In a rack of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart framemembers, each comprising a pair of leg portions and a bridge portionjoining the upper ends of said leg portions; a top plate extending overeach of said bridge portions and having a downturned rim extending overa section of said leg portions and bridge. portions;

wardly beyond the vertical plane of said top plate; a bottom platedisposed below s'aid shelves; and means for securing said shelves tosaid leg portions, including a wall portion extending igjawnwardly fromsaid top plate to said bottom ate and interposed between said legportions and shelves.

4. In a rack of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart framemembers, each comprising a pair of leg portions and a bridge portionjoining the upper ends of said leg portions; a top plate extending overeach of said bridge portions and having a downturned rim extending overa section of said leg portions and bridge' portions; means for securingsaid top plate to said frame members; a plurality of shelves extendingoutwardly beyond the vertical plane of said top plate; a bottom platedisposed below said shelves;

and means for securing said shelves to said leg portions, including awall portion extending downwardly from opposite sides of said top plateand in abutment with the upper face of said bottom plate, and said lastnamed means also including a weld of said shelves to said wall por tionsand screw threaded members'extending through saidwall portions andlegportions.

5. In a rack of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart framemembers, each comprising a pair of leg portions and a bridge portionjoining the upper ends of said leg portions; a top plate extending overeach of said bridge portions and having a downturned rim extending overa sec tion of said leg portions and bridge portions; means for securingsaid top plate to said frame members; a plurality of shelves extendingoutwardly beyond the vertical plane of said top plate; a bottom platedisposed below said shelves; and means for securing said shelves to saidleg portions, including a wall portion extending downwardly fromopposite sides of said top plate between the downturned rim thereof andsaid leg portions, and in abutment with the upper face of said bottomplate, said last named means also including screw threaded membersextending through said wall portions, said leg portions and saiddownturned rim.

6. Ina dispensing and display rack of the class described, a pair ofspaced-apart frame members, each comprising a pair of leg portions and abridge portion joining the upper ends of the leg portions; a top platedisposed upon said bridge portions; means securing said top plate tosaid frame members; a pair of shelves extending outwardly beyond thevertical plane of said top plate; means for securing said shelves tosaid leg portions; a substantially horizontal bottom plate spaced belowsaid shelves and extending beyond the vertical plane of the lowermostshelf; and means for both bracing said leg portions and supporting saidbottom plate above the lower ends of said leg portions.

7. In a dispensing and display rack of the class described, a pair ofspaced apart frame members each comprising a pair of leg portions and abridge portion joining the upper ends of said leg portions; a top plateextending over each of said bridge portions; means for securing said topplate to said frame members; a bottom plate spaced below said top plateand extending from leg portion to leg portion and beyond the verticalplane of said top plate; means supporting said bottom plate in asubstantially horizontal position above the lower extremities of saidleg portions; a wall portion extending downwardly from said top plate tosaid bottom plate and secured to said leg portions; and terraced shelvessecured to said wall portion and disposed above said bottom plate, saidshelves extending outwardly beyond the vertical plane of said top plate.

JULIUS B. GRAHAM.

